Stepladder



July 13, 1926. 1,592,1o9

F. L. JACOBS S TEPLADDER Ori in Filed Feb 25, 1922 2 Sheets sheet 2'mention frederz c/. Jac-05:,

(Ttrolllc forrned of staniped or members, and particularly embodiescertain Patented .luiy is, 1926.: I,

FBEDERICK L. JACOBS, 01' NEWRK, NEW JERSEY. i

Fres.

E'EPLDDER.

Application med February`23. 1822, Serial 510. 538,474. Renewed April 2,1928.

This invention relates to step ladders, and particularly to sheet metalladders.

lt is the object of the invention to provide a step ladfder of sheetmetal construction, such as will combine a maximum of strength andrigidity witii" comparative lightness in weight and adapt it to rendermore durable service than ladders commonly constructed of wood. I

The invention contemplates the construction of a foldable ste ladderentirely rawn sheet metal novel Structural formations and association ofthe members comprising the steps and stiles of the ladder.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated -in theaccompanying drawings, Wherein, i

ig. 1 is a perspective view of a'step ladder embodying the features oftheV invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in Vertical section on dashedline 2-2 of Fig. 1.

F ig. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view on dashed line 3-3 of Fig.1.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal Vertical sectional view through the stiles anda step of the ladder on dashed line 4- 4 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the -spaced uprights or stepstiles of the ladder and 2 a pair of tubular legs for Supporting theupper ends of said stiles. Said legs are suitably connected by bracerods as indicated at 3, and are pivotally engaged at their upper endswith extensions on said stiles, being adapted to Swing thereon and to beheld 'extended in an angular relation thereto by means of lthe usualfoldably jointed brace arms 4 pivotally connecting said members, as iscommon in the art.

The uprights or stiles 1 are of sheetmetal channel formation, themarginal edges of the channel walls being return bent and folded upontheir inner faces, as indicated at 5, to reinforce and strengthen thefree edges thereof. Said stiles are spaced with their channels inopposed relation and are each provided at their upper ends with alaterally extending relatively thick sheetmetal bracket 6, one end ofwhich is rigidly secured within the channel. of the stile/by rivets 7,and the opposite end is pivotally engaged by a bolt or stud 8 with theupper end of the respective legs 2. Each of said lsheet metal ofrelatively th-in gange may brackets is formed with a pair of integrallaterally projecting ears or lugs 9 flush with the upper edge thereof,upon which there is secured by rivets 10 a-sheetmetal plate or platform11 having a depending flange 12 surrounding the upper ends of said .legsand stiles. (bee Fig. 2). i

Extending between the stiles, at spaced intervals longitudinallythereof, is a series of sheet metal plates or steps 13 of invertedchannel form, having the free. edges of the channel 'walls return bentand marginally folded as at 14 to reinforce the same, and also havingstruck into the upper face thereof a plurality of spaced longitudinaldepressions 15 forming depending ribs 16,

which further serve to reinforce and stitfen side walls of said stepsupon the side walls v of said stiles, which Overlapping portions of saidmembers are secured together by rivets 17, as best shown in F igs. 2 and4. It is also preferred to provide certain of said steps with anglebraces 18, secured by rivets V19 atopposite ends respectively to thechannel Walls of said steps and stiles, as a means of reinforcement.

At the lower ends of the stiles the channels are closed by means ofangle brackets 20, respectively inserted therein and secured by rivets21 flush with the extremities of said stiles to provide suitable endbearings therefor.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that by the employment of thedescribed Structural formation and association of parts, andparticularly the formation of the channelled members, in which the freeedges of the channel walls are folded or lapped,

rendered suitable to secure the desired strength and lightness as wellas to provide a comparatively smooth exterior finish at theexposed'edges of the channel members.

What I claim is:

1. A step ladder comprising a pair of opposite channel shapedsheet-metal-stiles, a plurality of vertically spaced step membersvrigidly Connecting said stiles, a pair of brackets having their frontportions engaged within the channels of said stiles at the upper ends ofthe latter and having rearward projecting portions, means ofseourng thefront portionpf said brackets to said stiles, and leg members pwoted tothe rearwardlyv projecting portlons of sald brackets.

2. A step ladder comprising a pair of opposite channel-shapedsheet-metal stiles, a plurality of vertically .spaced step membersrigidly Connecting said stiles, a pair of brackets having their frontportons engaged within the channels of said stiles at the upper ends ofthe latter, and having rearwardly projecting portions, lugs projectingfrom the top portions of said bracketsto- Ward each other, leg memberspivoted to the rearwardly projecting portions of said In. testimonywhereof I sign this specifi- 30 cation.

FREDERICK L. JACOBS.

